Daily Archive : Thursday November 28, 2013

News

Thankful for community meals in Elgin, St. Charles By Susan Sarkauskas
Free community dinners in Elgin and St. Charles fed spirits as well as appetites Thanksgiving Day. "It is such a wonderful community event," Lazarus House executive director Donna Bauer said of the organization's St. Charles event. "It's a big community and family celebration."

Neighbor charged with strangling Elgin man By Susan Sarkauskas
An Elgin man was charged with murdering his 88-year-old neighbor Nov. 22. Matthew L. Stoecklein, of the 700 block of Jefferson St., was arrested Wednesday night in the parking lot of the apartment where he and John Poyer lived, police said. "The person that did this shattered my heart," said Poyer's 16-year-old great-granddaughter, at a press conference Thursday at the Elgin Police Department.

Driver cited for crash into Arlington Heights home
By Christopher Placek and Lee FilasA car crashed into a single-family home Thursday night in Arlington Heights and left considerable damage to the building, though no one was home at the time, authorities said. David Daniels, 26, of Arlington Heights, was cited in the crash for leaving the roadway and for trying to leave the scene of an accident following the 8:25 p.m. accident at Kennicott and Maude avenues, said Sgt. Rich...

Reports: Unpublished J.D. Salinger stories leaked online
From news wire reportsThree unpublished stories from reclusive U.S. author J.D. Salinger have been leaked online, with the source apparently an unauthorized book that sold on eBay, BuzzFeed reported Thursday.The only known copies of the “Three Stories” exist in research libraries at the University of Texas and Princeton University, it said.

For some, shopping weekend kicks off right after the feast
By Christopher Placek and Jamie SotonoffLarge retailers opened their doors on Thanksgiving to get a jump on Black Friday blockbuster sales - a controversial decision that drew criticism from many families and retail workers, who say it infringed on their holiday. But money talks, and retailers were confident many shoppers would sacrifice family time for bargain deals. “(My family’s) got food waiting for me when I get back,” said Joe...

Study quantifies increase in animosity after marriage
By Meeri KimPsychologist James McNulty, who primarily conducts research on romantic relationships, showed a newlywed the photo of his or her spouse for just a third of a second, followed by a word that was positive or negative: “delightful” or “disgusting,” for instance. The newlywed, as fast as possible, had to push a button indicating the word was good or bad.

Mormon bishop dresses as homeless man to teach lesson
Associated PressDavid Musselman, who told only his second counselor that he would be disguised as a homeless man, walked to the pulpit during the service. He finally revealed his true identity and took off his wig, fake beard and glasses. “It had a shock value that I did not anticipate,” he said. “I really did not have any idea that the members of my ward would gasp as big as they did.”

Recruits pack Gurnee church for Thanksgiving lunch and dinner
By Justin KmitchKyle Lundgren hadn’t had a candy bar in eight weeks. So who could blame the 19-year-old Navy recruit from Dallas as he stuffed a few KitKats into his pants pocket? He was one of 165 recruits from nearby Great Lakes Naval Station bussed over to participate in the annual Gurnee Community Church Thanksgiving lunch and dinner for recruits.

Naval recruits enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in Palatine, Wheeling
Daily Herald reportSailors from the Great Lakes Naval Station in North Chicago couldn’t go home to enjoy the Thanksgiving with loved ones, so Palatine American Legion Post 690 did its best to bring home to them Thursday. About 35 naval recruits traveled to the legion hall Thursday for a Thanksgiving meal, football on TV, games and other activities. Recruits were also in Wheeling enjoying the day.

Pope ramps up charity office to be near poor, sick
By Nicole WinfieldVatiican Almoner Konrad Krajewski visits homes for the elderly in the name of the pope, writes checks to the needy in the name of the pope — even traveled to the island of Lampedusa in the name of the pope after a migrant boat capsized last month, killing more than 350 people.

Palatine Jaycees open holiday tree sale Nov. 29
Daily Herald reportThe Palatine Jaycees will be hosting their 56th annual Christmas tree Sale in the Palatine Park District Aquatic Center parking lot this holiday season to raise funds to help individuals and civic groups throughout the area.

Gurnee village board hires economic development consultant
By Bob SusnjaraGurnee has hired a consultant to provide economic development expertise to the village. Village board members at a recent meeting approved a contract not to exceed $49,000 with San Francisco-based Gruen Gruen + Associates. Gruen’s Chicago office will handle duties for Gurnee, officials said.

Plenty of options greet DuPage holiday revelers
Daily Herald reportAs some of us celebrate the onset of the Christmas season with a Black Friday shopping frenzy, others are reveling in a host of holiday traditions. Many of our communities are ushering in Christmas with tree-lighting ceremonies, lighted parades and visits from Santa Claus. Here’s a quick look at some of the festivities planned for the weekend.

U-46 families get holiday donations
By Elena FerrarinSeveral area families, organizations and businesses are contributing to bringing some holiday cheer to dozens of Elgin Area School District U-46 students and families in need, officials said.

Turkey Trot attracts thousands to Naperville
By Dan WhiteOn a day when turkeys aren’t the only things that usually end up stuffed, more than 7,500 runners took to the streets of Naperville for the 16th annual Noon Lions Turkey Trot 5K. Whether they were running, jogging to even walking the 3.1-mile course, participants on Thursday got a chance to burn a few calories before sitting down to their Thanksgiving meals. It’s no accident that the race’s...

Images: Thanksgiving in the suburbs
Suburban residents celebrated Thanksgiving in many ways. Turkey races were held in Naperville and Batavia. Local American Legion Posts,VFW and churches held luncheons for Navy recuruits and those in need within their communites.

California man held after 9-hour hostage ordeal
Associated PressThe gunman, his girlfriend and her 14-year-old daughter all came away unharmed, police said. "The man in the home shot at the arriving officers “before they could even get to the front door,” police spokesman James Madia said.

Distance widens between Obama, congressional Democrats
Associated PressThe political body language tells the story of the strain. Thirty-nine House Democrats in Obama’s party, including several from the Chicago suburbs, defied the president’s veto threat and voted for a GOP-sponsored bill to permit the sale of individual health coverage that falls short of requirements in the law.

Egyptian women carry on protest despite beatings by police
Associated PressRasha Azab was still in pain from being beaten by police on the back. Mona Seif was limping from blows to her leg. Nazly Hussein said she was beaten in the police station before the desert drive when she tried to help a woman being dragged down the stairs by her hair. “Our beating is nothing,” said Azab. “Today we will go to sleep, wake up and continue our fight with authorities again.”

Images: Macy’s 87th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade
The 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held Thursday to kick off the holiday season. An estimated 3.5 million people in New York City watched the parade with over 50 million people watching from home. Giant balloons, bands, floats and performances make up this annual event.

South Korea, Japan defy Chinese air defense zone
South Korean and Japanese flights through China’s new maritime air defense zone added to the international defiance Thursday of rules Beijing says it has imposed in East China Sea but that neighbors and the U.S. have vowed to ignore.

Myanmar’s remaining independence fighter dies
Associated PressYe Htut, the last member of the “Thirty Comrades,” the group that spearheaded Myanmar’s struggle against British colonial rule, has died. He was 91. Ye Htut died from health problems related to old age at a hospital in the main city of Yangon on Wednesday, family members said.

Officials to Illinoisans: Prepare for cold
By Associated PressWith temperatures plummeting, authorities are reminding Illinoisans to take precautions against biting cold. Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications says people should make sure th

Illinois tornado survivor searches for missing cards
Associated PressAnnmarie Klein knows she’s blessed to have survived the tornado that leveled her family’s central Illinois home, and she understands most of the things they lost as a tornado tore through Washington, Ill., can be replaced. That’s not true for a mint green box that contained three cards personalized by Klein’s brother, Paul McLaughlin, with notes for each of his three children before his 2005...

Police review journal of Arizona teen held captive
Associated PressPolice were poring over a journal they say a 17-year-old girl kept while she and her two younger sisters were imprisoned by their mother and stepfather for up to two years. Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villasenor said investigators were combing through the diary Wednesday for evidence as they build a criminal case against the 32-year-old mother and 34-year-old stepfather.

Charges filed against former Russian defense chief
Associated PressRussia’s top investigative agency filed criminal charges Thursday against the nation’s former defense minister, who was accused of using servicemen and government funds to build a road to a vacation home and do landscaping work on the property. Anatoly Serdyukov lost his job a year ago over a corruption scandal. Some of his close associates have faced criminal charges, but the Kremlin has faced...

Naperville resident is a case manager for seniors
By Robert SanchezSomeone to be thankful for story about Kristen Ritchie, a DuPage County employee who works with seniors living independently. This year, Ritchie won the Care Coordinator of the Year award from the Illinois Department of Aging. She says she enjoys helping area seniors with their daily living, and it is something she always wanted to do because of her close relationship with her grandmother.

Libertyville World War II vet represents living history for kids
By Mick ZawislakLibertyville resident and World War II veteran Don Carter is still going strong at age 88. He is active in the local American Legion and VFW and is in charge of organizing the annual Memorial Day program. He shares his experiences with students and other groups. “It’s something kids need to hear,” said Libertyville Mayor Terry Weppler.

Libertyville not willing to try allowing chickens in yards
By Mick ZawislakLibertyville officials have nixed an idea for a pilot program that would have allowed up to five households to keep hens. "I've gotten a lot of responses from the community on this one that have been overwhelmingly against it," said Trustee Rich Moras.

Despite tragedy, Washington residents finding reasons to give thanks
Daily Herald reportAs he stood amid the rubble that used to be his neighborhood in Washington, Ill., over the weekend, it was hard to imagine that Ben Alexander would have much to give thanks for as he and the thousands of others left homeless by a Nov. 16 tornado sit down for Thanksgiving dinner. But amid the ruin and devastation of the past 12 days, Alexander and others in this video are finding reason to be...

Years fly from Legos to college, but we’re thankful for trip By Burt ConstableThanksgiving always has been good to my family. But my wife, Cheryl, topped all expectations in 1995 by giving birth on Thanksgiving to our twin sons, Ross and Ben. We added Will in 1999. As I have for every Thanksgiving since that emotional holiday when we became parents, I ask your indulgence as my family shares some thankful moments from the last year.

Sports

Missouri beats Northwestern 78-67
Associated PressJordan Clarkson scored 13 of his 21 points in the second half to lead Missouri to a 78-67 win over Northwestern in Thursday night’s opening round of the Las Vegas Invitational. The Tigers, who played on Thanksgiving Day for the second consecutive year, scored the first 14 points of the second half to erase a five-point halftime deficit and take a 48-39 lead at the 15:10 mark and never looked back.

Ravens hold on for 22-20 win over Steelers
Associated PressBALTIMORE — Another close game in the spirited rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens came down to a wacky final two minutes that featured a pair of overturned touchdowns, a couple injuries and finally, a missed 2-point conversion.Justin Tucker kicked five field goals, and Baltimore snuffed a conversion pass with 1:03 left to escape with a 22-20 victory Thursday night.After Pittsburgh scored on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Jerricho Cotchery to get within two points, Roethlisberger’s conversion pass slipped through the hands of Emmanuel Sanders, who was screened by Chykie Brown.The victory provided the Ravens (6-6) with their first winning streak since September and pushed them ahead of the Steelers (5-7) and four other teams in the race for the final wild-card slot in the AFC. It also avenged a 19-16 loss to their division rivals last month.It was the fifth straight game between the teams decided by three points or fewer.Pittsburgh appeared to score twice in the closing minutes, but on each occasion the touchdown was overturned by a replay. On the first one, tight end Heath Miller was ruled down inside the 1. On the second, running back Le’Veon Bell lost his helmet on a crushing tackle by Jimmy Smith and the ball was ruled dead just short of the goal line.The game was delayed while Bell and Smith lay on the ground. Two plays later, Roethlisberger connected with a wide-open Cotchery on fourth down.Tucker connected on kicks of 43, 34, 38, 45 and 48 yards after Joe Flacco threw a first-quarter touchdown pass to Torrey Smith.Flacco went 24 for 35 for 251 yards. Roethlisberger was 28 for 44 for 257 yards and two TDs.Baltimore didn’t get a sack and didn’t force a turnover, but played well enough to bottle up Roethlisberger and the Steelers for the majority of the game.Down 19-7, the Steelers mounted a 60-yard drive aided by two penalties and got a 1-yard touchdown run by Bell to close to 19-14 with 9:32 to go. It was only the second rushing TD allowed by the Ravens this season.Tucker answered with a field goal, but Roethlisberger mounted a 79-yard drive to set the stage for the hectic finish.The Ravens opened the second half with a 52-yard drive that ended in a field goal for a 13-0 lead. Smith caught two passes on third down to keep the drive alive.Pittsburgh answered with an 80-yard march that began with a 21-yard completion from Roethlisberger to Miller, and included a 43-yard run by Bell to the Baltimore 8. On third down, Sanders got free in the end zone for an 8-yard score — only the fourth touchdown allowed by the Ravens in six home games.Jacoby Jones took the ensuing kickoff 73 yards to the Pittsburgh 27, setting up a 38-yard field goal that made it 16-7. Jones sprinted down the left side and nearly ran into Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who stepped out of the way at the last second.After a Pittsburgh punt, Flacco escaped pressure to complete a 34-yard pass to Jones, and Tucker followed with a 45-yarder to put the Ravens up by 12 with 13:59 remaining.That would be Baltimore’s final score, and it proved to be just enough for a much-needed victory.Baltimore limited the Steelers to 98 yards and got a touchdown pass from Flacco in taking a 10-0 halftime lead.The game couldn’t have started much better for the Ravens. After holding Pittsburgh to a three-and-out, Baltimore moved 71 yards to take a 7-0 lead on a 7-yard touchdown pass to Smith. The play came after Smith hauled in a 54-yard pass from Flacco to the Pittsburgh 1.There were three scuffles after the whistle in the first quarter, but peace was restored before things got out of hand.Pittsburgh’s third drive ended with a curious, aborted field-goal try. Shaun Suisham was poised to kick a 50-yarder, but his approach began well before the snap and he didn’t follow through. Holder Mat McBriar flipped an impromptu lateral to Suisham, who was tackled for a 12-yard loss.

Cowboys rally to beat RaidersAssociated PressDeMarco Murray did the finishing work for the Dallas Cowboys. Backup Lance Dunbar made his job a lot easier. Murray ran for three touchdowns, Dunbar had a career-high 82 yards rushing and the Cowboys overcame Oakland’s fumble return for a score on the opening kickoff to beat the Raiders 31-24 Thursday.

Blackhawks game dayBy Tim SassoneBlackhawks vs. Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center, 7:30 p.m.TV: Comcast SportsNetRadio: WGN-AM 720The skinny: The Hawks are coming off maybe their most dramatic win of the year, 3-2 at Calgary, when Patrick Kane scored with 18 seconds to play in regulation to bring them all the way back from a 2-0 third period deficit. Corey Crawford is expected to start in goal. The Hawks won 5-2 in Dallas on Nov. 9 behind 2 goals from Marian Hossa.Next: Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena, 7 p.m. Saturday.— Tim Sassone

Bulls can bounce back from more bad luck
By Mike McGrawThe Bulls aren't the first NBA to endure some extreme injury bad luck. In the past, some hard-luck teams have bounced back while others haven't. Still, there is reason for Bulls fans to give thanks this week.

Lions on top of NFC North after mauling Pack
Associated PressThe Detroit Lions were dominant after a shaky start and snapped a few losing streaks.Matthew Stafford made up for some mistakes with three touchdown passes, including one to Calvin Johnson, to help Detroit score 37 straight points to beat the Green Bay Packers 40-10 on Thursday.

Task gets tougher for Bears struggling defense
By Bob LeGereIt doesn't get a ny easier for the Bears' maligned run defense this week against Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, but coordinator Mel Tucker's group hopes to get a boost from defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff, who is close to returning from a serious groin injury.

Time to get your ice fishing gear ready
By Mike JacksonThe ice up north is starting to freeze solid, but it's a different story in the Chicago area, as Mike Jackson explains in this week's outdoors notebook.

Time passes, but fatherly pride is forever
By Mike JacksonSurprises are part of the allure of fishing. Life, in general, brings its own fair share of unexpected news, and the Jackson family will relish some of the good variety on this Thanksgiving.

Rich goes the distance for International Crown
By Len ZiehmIn 2016, Rich Harvest Farms golf club in Sugar Grove will host the second staging of the International Crown, an innovative biannual team competition involving eight countries with the best women's golfers in the world. Owner Jerry Rich, meanwhile, hopes the event will become a regular event at Rich Harvest. Len Ziehm has more in this report.

Honestly, really: Thank goodness ...
By Mike ImremJosh McCown coming back in his eighth or ninth NFL life as Joe Montana ... and other reasons for sports teams, sports figures and sports fans to give thanks this year.

Kane, Hawks rally in Raanta’s first start
By Tim SassoneThe Blackhawks were looking for a fourth straight win on their circus road trip Wednesday and sent rookie goalie Antti Raanta out against the Calgary Flames to try to get it. Raanta got it all right, but it wasn’t easy. The Hawks rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the third period to stun the Flames 3-2 on Patrick Kane’s goal with 18 seconds to play. Kane extended his points streak to 12 games.

Business

Retailer tech creeps into consumers’ private livesAssociated PressTo lure buyers, major holiday retailers including, Macy’s, Best Buy and JCPenney, have partnered with the Shopkick mobile app. If shoppers turn on the app while in their store, they can be rewarded with discounts or song downloads for trying on clothes, scanning barcodes and making purchases.

Glitches keep private firm from launching rocket
Associated PressThe privately owned SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has experienced several technical issues this year and two attempts to launch on Thanksgiving were aborted. SpaceX says it will try again in a few days to launch the 7,000-pound satellite into geostationary orbit.

Australia rejects ADM’s proposed GrainCorp buyout
Associated PressADM has been looking to invest in overseas suppliers and Australia is a major exporter of commodities, including iron ore and wheat. It has said that full ownership of GrainCorp would help expand its agriculture offerings in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

EU leaves door open for Ukraine deal
Associated PressWith Russia warily looking on, European Union leaders on Thursday implored Ukraine to sign a landmark association agreement and reverse the geopolitical defeat they suffered last week when the former Soviet republic sought closer ties with Moscow instead of Brussels.

Centuries-old Italian olive trees dying
Bloomberg NewsA pathogen is wasting 500-year-old olive trees, researchers say. The Bari institute is testing plants without signs of infection to determine a protective buffer zone. The germ may have been introduced via the import of ornamental plants.

Suburban shoppers' dos and don'ts of Thanksgiving shoppingBy Lenore T. Adkins
After you're done stuffing yourself on Thanksgiving, why not walk off the calories with a little retail therapy? That's exactly what Mae Hicks Jones of Elgin and about 20 of her family members plan on doing. “It's about just everybody getting together,” Jones said. “The shopping is extra.” Select stores at most suburban malls will be open on Thanksgiving.

Twitter woos retailers to get into Facebook holiday push
Bloomberg NewsTwitter is banking on retailers to help fuel its ad sales after investors paid a premium for the unprofitable company at the time of IPO based on its growth potential. “Holiday is one of the most important periods and for me, sitting in the retail world, it is the most critical period,” said J.J. Hirschle of Twitter.

Nuclear waste burial debate produces odd alliances
Ordinarily, a proposal to bury radioactive waste in a scenic area that relies on tourism would inspire “not in my backyard” protests from local residents — and relief in places that were spared. But conventional wisdom has been turned on its head in the Canadian province of Ontario, where a publicly owned power company wants to entomb waste from its nuclear plants 2,230 feet below the surface and less than a mile from Lake Huron.

Piles of Midwest ‘petcoke’ raising residents’ ire
Associated PressThe images are startling. Billowing black clouds darken the daytime sky as wind-driven grit pelts homes and cars and forces bewildered residents to take cover. The onslaught, captured in photos and video footage from Detroit and Chicago this year, was caused by the same thing: brisk winds sweeping across huge black piles of petroleum coke, or “petcoke,” a powdery byproduct of oil refining that’s been accumulating along Midwest shipping channels and sparking a new wave of health and environmental concerns.

Airport chaplains let fliers connect with heavens By Associated PressAirports are mini-cities with their own movie theaters, fire departments and shopping malls. Many also have chapels, typically tiny non-denominational spaces, in out-of-the-way locations. They offer an escape from constant gate change and security announcements and are staffed by 350 part- and full-time chaplains worldwide, who consider the job glamorous.

Kanye West calls out Nike executive during concert
By Associated PressKanye West continued to vent at former partner Nike, taking to the mic during a concert again this week to complain about his treatment by the sports apparel company. West spent more than 6 minutes talking and singing about the company during his “The Yeezus Tour” stop Wednesday night at the Bridgestone arena in Nashville, Tenn.

Life & Entertainment

'A Christmas Story' at 30: Now part of the family Associated PressEven after three decades, the triple-dog dare doesn't get old. The film “A Christmas Story” opened 30 years ago to mixed reviews but has shown its staying power as a holiday family favorite. Cleveland, where parts of the movie were filmed and hard-luck Ralphie dreamed big, is celebrating the anniversary. “It becomes part of your fabric for your whole life,” said Kevin Moor of the Cleveland Play House.

Rosemont hosts the 2013 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals By Matthew Avery
With more than 500 vehicles on display, there was more than a few eye-catching machines from all over the country parked last weekend at the 2013 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals. The event, held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, has evolved into an auto lovers paradise.

Aussie hotel proud of its Justin Bieber graffiti
By Associated PressSYDNEY — An Australian hotel is declaring itself a graffiti Belieber, despite being at odds with the city government.QT Hotel in the Gold Coast said it gave Justin Bieber permission to spray graffiti on its wall. The Canadian singer and others posted images online showing cartoon faces in fluorescent paint on an outdoor wall at the hotel in Queensland state.After hearing criticism, the hotel changed its Facebook page cover art Thursday to show Bieber, his graffiti and the declaration: “He asked, and we said YES.”The Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate says the singer risked undermining the city’s efforts to fight graffiti. “The last thing we want is to have graffiti glorified and more young people thinking it’s a cool thing to do,” he said.In a letter to the hotel, Tate asserted the city can insist on removal of graffiti in private spaces if it’s visible from public spaces.But in further posts on its Facebook page, QT Hotel defended Bieber as an excellent hotel guest and said it wanted to promote graffiti as an art form. It invited artists to share examples of their work to be judged, with select artists being offered a hotel wall they could spray-paint themselves.Bieber performed in Brisbane on Wednesday and has more concerts in Sydney on Friday and Saturday.The 19-year-old pop star arrived in Australia after a troubled Latin American tour. He apologized to Argentinians after images appeared to show him dragging that country’s flag across the stage with his feet. He quit one concert early after apparently contracting food poisoning, and police in Brazil want to question him about another graffiti incident there.

St. Charles native gets musical for ‘Dead Prince’
By Joe SalvatoSt. Charles native Dan Behrendt revisits musicals for the first time since college in "The Dead Prince." “Rehearsals for this play have kind of forced the guitar back into my hands, which is sort of a blessing in disguise because I forgot how much I enjoy it,” Behrendt said.

Recycled wine industry materials make unique gifts
By Leanne Italie, Associated PressLooking to please a wine lover this holiday season? You can always spring for a special bottle or wrap up the latest and greatest corkscrew, but why not play off the passion through a recycled gift instead? From sunglasses made of old wine barrels to colorful wind chimes created with bits of bottles, the reuse, repurpose, recycle crowd has been busy with wine industry materials for gifty products.

Book chronicles businessmen who led fracking boom By Kevin Begos, Associated PressGregory Zuckerman's book “The Frackers” tells the unexpected story of how a once-obscure method of producing oil and natural gas from shale rock led to a huge American energy boom — and to a bitter debate over whether that's a great thing or an environmental disaster. The subject of fracking often provokes extreme emotions, and the 393 pages of “The Frackers” takes the positive view.

Ski resorts indulge in gut-busting, decadent food
By Scott MayerowitzForget that fresh arugula and grilled chicken salad. This season, ski resorts are letting us indulge with a new slate of warm, hearty comfort foods. At Colorado’s Copper Mountain, skiers who pop into the Sugar Lip Donuts eatery can now indulge in Little Piggies, which are maple bacon doughnuts. Down the road at Vail’s Four Seasons Resort & Residences, guests can try the “That’s Just Wrong Dog,” a Kobe beef hot dog wrapped in house-cured maple bacon with blue cheese coleslaw and heirloom tomato ketchup.

Don’t let the holidays derail healthy habits
By Christina FitzgeraldDespite my shock that we’re in the throes of the holiday season, it’s here and it’s time to celebrate! I love the parties, the extra family time, and the amazing food that this time of year brings. What I don’t like are the crazy weekend schedules and lack of daily structure, especially around meal planning.

Jeffrey Wright considers his career choices
By Jessica HerndonEven though Jeffrey Wright has won a Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe, and appeared in more than 35 films as one of the most versatile actors of his generation, he’s far from a household name. But he couldn’t care less. With his latest film, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” setting box office records worldwide, Wright recently examined his career choices.

Brooks focused on live show, box set — mum on 2014
By Mike Cidoni Lennox, Associated PressGarth Brooks isn’t ready to talk specifics about his looming comeback, but there should be more than enough music this week to sate the country superstar’s fans for a while. Brooks is set to release a new eight-disc box set Thursday, then will broadcast his Las Vegas show live on CBS on Friday night. Both are an examination of the Oklahoma singer’s musical roots with covers of songs that have influenced him.

Discuss

Good news stories abound throughout the year
By Jim SlusherColumnist Jim Slusher: Each Thanksgiving Day, I like to contradict stereotypes about the news with mention of a few of the bright stories that made news just from the previous week.

Ready to boycott stores open on holiday
A Wheeling letter to the editor: One never knows if this is the last holiday season you will have with a loved one. Don’t take those memories from these retail workers on Thanksgiving Day.

Elgin’s shrinking natural resources
A South Elgin letter to the editor: Due to the rapid growth and expansion of our population as well as in building commercial buildings in the Elgin area, the natural resources that provide our community are diminishing. Because of this, we need to be more considerate of where we are expanding and how we are growing as a city.